There are enough things in the modern world that funtion as distractions from the path... it seemed worthwhile to create something that could collectively inspire and encourage us to strive to follow the way of the elders.

Please share your inspirations with us...so that we may be inspired too.

If I may add here: one can also post your own altar pics, what do you use for your Dharma practice and stuff as such..

hi old cat, great idea! i don't have web-cam-thingy, i'm not hi-tech enough so no pictures of my little make-shift altar. but instead i'll share some other pics. the first example is an amazing piece of religious architecture that captivated me the first time i saw it long ago, before comitting to the Three Jewels and played no small part in my reading further on the subject of Buddhism -

Borobudur Temple, Java, Indonesia

the second example is a statue i find very beautiful and inspiring as it always reminds me of Amida's Vow to embrace all sentient beings and leave none behind -

there is a great story about this statue that i heard from Andreas:

In 1082, the 50-year-old monk, Eikan was doing walking meditation around the statue. Then suddenly Amida got off his altar and started walking in circles too. Eikan was so surprised that he froze. Amida turned his face and said “Eikan Ososhi” (Eikan, you are slow.) Ever since then, the statue has always been looking back with a great smile.

Although I too am within Amida's grasp,Passions obstruct my eyes and I cannot see him;Nevertheless, great compassion is untiring and illumines me always.- Shinran

The Infant Buddha statue is located on a mechanical lotus stand which also rotates the statue as it opens its lotus petals daily at 10.30am, 11.30am, 2.30pm and 4.30pm - though these may be altered or cancelled during quieter times for a musically choreographed fountain show in Mandarin. I was there for the last show.The mechanical petals would open up and reveal the statue and after that conceal again. Then, at the base of stand, are figurines of apsaras and nagas. During the show, water would spout out from the dragons' mouth and shower the statue and water is collected at the base of the dragons where there are ponds. According to the tourist guide, the entire thing is European technology and the water is safe for drinking. So, spectators can after the show collect the 'holy water'. Some samples on Youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rX3jhKe684Uhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_t-UvGTo ... re=related